• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
• /
• 제12권2호
• /
• pp.156-171
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The development of vaccines that confer protection against multiple avian influenza A (AIA) virus strains is necessary to prevent the emergence of highly infectious strains that may result in more severe outbreaks. Thus, this study applied reverse vaccinology approach in strategically constructing messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine construct against avian influenza A (mVAIA) to induce cross-protection while targeting diverse AIA virulence factors. Materials and Methods: Immunoinformatics tools and databases were utilized to identify conserved experimentally validated AIA epitopes. CD8⁺ epitopes were docked with dominant chicken major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) to evaluate complex formation. Conserved epitopes were adjoined in the optimized mVAIA sequence for efficient expression in Gallus gallus. Signal sequence for targeted secretory expression was included. Physicochemical properties, antigenicity, toxicity, and potential cross-reactivity were assessed. The tertiary structure of its protein sequence was modeled and validated in silico to investigate the accessibility of adjoined B-cell epitope. Potential immune responses were also simulated in C-ImmSim. Results: Eighteen experimentally validated epitopes were found conserved (Shannon index <2.0) in the study. These include one B-cell (SLLTEVETPIRNEWGCR) and 17 CD8⁺ epitopes, adjoined in a single mRNA construct. The CD8⁺ epitopes docked favorably with MHC peptidebinding groove, which were further supported by the acceptable ∆G_bind (-28.45 to -40.59 kJ/mol) and Kd (<1.00) values. The incorporated Sec/SPI (secretory/signal peptidase I) cleavage site was also recognized with a high probability (0.964814). Adjoined B-cell epitope was found within the disordered and accessible regions of the vaccine. Immune simulation results projected cytokine production, lymphocyte activation, and memory cell generation after the 1st dose of mVAIA. Conclusion: Results suggest that mVAIA possesses stability, safety, and immunogenicity. In vitro and in vivo confirmation in subsequent studies are anticipated.

• 대한수의학회지
• /
• 제59권1호
• /
• pp.43-45
• /
• 2019

To establish appropriate conditions for a disinfectant efficacy test at subzero temperatures, this study examined mixtures of frozen foot-and-mouth disease virus or avian influenza virus solutions and disinfectant diluents at $-5^{\circ}C$ and monitored temperature and freezing status of an anti-freezing diluent (AFD, 15% ethanol + 30% propylene glycol + 55% distilled water) over time at various subzero temperatures. Viral solutions and disinfectant diluents froze before the mixtures reached $-5^{\circ}C$, whereas the AFD was not frozen at $-30^{\circ}C$. The times taken for the AFD to reach -10, -20, -30, and $-40^{\circ}C$ from room temperature were 36, 39, 45, and 48 min, respectively.

• 한국축산식품학회지
• /
• 제30권2호
• /
• pp.345-350
• /
• 2010

Various extracts from 30 medicinal plants were evaluated for their antiviral activity against influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) and cytotoxicity in MDCK cell culture. The plant material (30 g) was extracted with methanol (300 mL) at room temperature for 24 h, after which the methanolic extracts were filtered, evaporated, and subsequently lyophilized. Evaluation of the potential antiviral activity was conducted by a viral replication inhibition test. Among these medicinal plants, Tussilago farfara, Brassica juncea, Prunus armeniaca, Astragalus membranaceus, Patrinia villosa, and Citrus unshiu showed marked antiviral activity against influenza virus A/H1N1 at concentrations ranging from 0.15625 mg/mL to 1.25 mg/mL, 0.3125 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL, 0.625 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL, 0.625 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL, and 0.3125 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL, respectively. The extracts of Tussilago farfara showed cytotoxicity at concentrations greater than 2.5 mg/mL, whereas the other five main extracts showed no cytotoxicity at concentrations of 10 mg/mL. Taken together, the present results indicated that methanolic extracts of the six main plants might be useful for the treatment of influenza virus H1N1.

• 대한수의학회지
• /
• 제52권4호
• /
• pp.239-252
• /
• 2012

The circulation and infection of avian influenza virus (AIV) in zoos and backyard flocks has not been systematically investigated. In the present study, we surveyed the birds including those in live bird markets (LBMs) and evaluated co-circulation of AIVs among them. Overall, 26 H9N2 AIVs and one H6N2 AIV were isolated from backyard flocks and LBMs, but no AIVs were isolated from zoo birds. Genetic analysis of the HA and NA genes indicated that most of the H9N2 AIVs showed higher similarities to AIVs circulating in domestic poultry than to those in wild birds, while the H6N2 AIV isolate from an LBM did to AIVs circulating in migratory wild birds. In serological tests, 15% (391/2619) of the collected sera tested positive for AIVs by competitive-ELISA. Among them, 34% (131/391) of the sera tested positive for AIV H9 antigen by HI test, but only one zoo sample was H9 positive. Although AIVs were not isolated from zoo birds, the serological results indicated that infection of AIVs might occur in zoos. It was also confirmed that H9N2 AIVs continue to circulate and evolve between backyard flocks and LBMs. Therefore, continuous surveillance and monitoring of these flocks should be conducted to control further epidemics.

• 한국가금학회지
• /
• 제46권3호
• /
• pp.173-183
• /
• 2019

조류인플루엔자 바이러스 H7 subtype에 속하는 바이러스 중 일부는 가금류에 감염할 경우 고병원성이 발휘된다. 또 H7 아형 AIV중 일부는 사람에 감염하여 사망 등을 유발할 수도 있다. 본 연구는 야생조류로부터 분리된 H7 아형 조류인플루엔자 바이러스 6주(H7N7 아형 4주, H7N1 아형 2주)를 대상으로 8개 유전자 분절 전체의 염기서열을 분석하여 병원성, 사람 감염 가능성 등 그 특성을 조사하였다. 계통유전학적 분석결과, 국내에서 분리된 H7 아형 분리주들은 8개 유전자(HA, NA, PB2, PB1, PA, NP, M, NS) 모두 Eurasian lineage로 분류되었으나, Eurasian lineage 내에서도 각기 다른 sublineage로 분류되어 유전적 다양성이 있는 것으로 분석되었다. 한국 분리주 6주는 HA 단백질 분절부위 아미노산은 두 종류(PEIPKGR 및 PELPKGR)의 motif를 가지고 있었으나, 모두 저병원성 바이러스 특성을 가지고 있었다. 숙주세포 결합 특이성과 관련 있는 HA 단백질 receptor-binding site를 분석한 결과, 한국 분리주 모두는 사람 세포 수용체 결합특이성보다는 조류 세포 수용체 결합 특이성을 가지는 것으로 나타났다. 사람 감염 가능성을 높게 하는 부위에서의 아미노산 치환(PB2 단백질의 E627K 및 PB1단백질의 I368V)도 나타나지 않았고, 또한 NA stalk region에서의 결손도 관찰되지 않았다. 이상의 결과를 미루어 볼 때 한국 야생조류에서 분리된 H7 아형 6주 모두는 저병원성 바이러스로 최근 중국에서 사람 감염이 나타나고 있는 H7N9 바이러스와는 유전적으로 다른 계열의 바이러스인 것으로 판단된다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제70권4호
• /
• pp.285-292
• /
• 2011

After an outbreak of H1N1 influenza A virus infection in Mexico in late March 2009, the World Health Organization raised its pandemic alert level to phase 6, and to the highest level in June 2009. The pandemic H1N1/A influenza was caused by an H1N1 influenza A virus that represents a quadruple reassortment of two swine strains, one human strain, and one avian strain of influenza. After the first case report of H1N1/A infection in early May 2009, South Korea was overwhelmed by this new kind of influenza H1N1/A pandemic, which resulted in a total of 700,000 formally reported cases and 252 deaths. In this article, clinical characteristics of victims of H1N1/A influenza infection, especially those who developed pneumonia and those who were cared for in the intensive care unit, are described. In addition, guidelines for the treatment of H1N1/A influenza virus infection victims in the ICU, which was suggested by the Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine, are introduced.

• 한국빅데이터학회지
• /
• 제5권2호
• /
• pp.69-76
• /
• 2020

이 연구는 2019년도 정부(과학기술정보통신부)의 재원으로 정보통신기술진흥센터의 지원을 받아 수행된 연구이다. 고병원성조류인플루엔자(Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, HPAI)는 병원성이 높은 조류인플루엔자 바이러스 감염에 의하여 발생하는 조류의 급성 전염병으로 닭, 오리 등 가금류에서 피해가 심각하게 나타난다. 고병원성 조류인플루엔자(HPAI)는 연중으로 발생하기보다는 겨울철에 집중하여 발생되는 양상을 보이며, 특정 기간에는 아예 발생하지 않는 경우가 있다. 이와 같은 HPAI의 특성으로 인해 충분한 양의 실제 데이터가 축적되지 못하는 문제점이 있다. 본 논문 연구에서는 GAN 네트워크를 활용하여 결측치를 포함하고 있는 실제와 유사한 데이터를 생성하였으며 해당 과정을 소개한다. 본 연구 결과는 HPAI가 발생하지 않은 특정 시기에 대하여 실제와 유사한 시뮬레이션 데이터를 생성하여 위험도를 측정하는데 이용될 수 있다.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• 제65권4호
• /
• pp.838-855
• /
• 2023

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus triggers infectious diseases, resulting in pulmonary damage and high mortality in domestic poultry worldwide. This study aimed to analyze miRNA expression profiles after infection with the HPAI H5N1 virus in resistant and susceptible lines of Ri chickens.For this purpose, resistant and susceptible lines of Vietnamese Ri chicken were used based on the A/G allele of Mx and BF2 genes. These genes are responsible for innate antiviral activity and were selected to determine differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs in HPAI-infected chicken lines using small RNA sequencing. A total of 44 miRNAs were DE after 3 days of infection with the H5N1 virus. Computational program analysis indicated the candidate target genes for DE miRNAs to possess significant functions related to cytokines, chemokines, MAPK signaling pathway, ErBb signaling pathway, and Wnt signaling pathway. Several DE miRNA-mRNA matches were suggested to play crucial roles in mediating immune functions against viral evasion. These results revealed the potential regulatory roles of miRNAs in the immune response of the two Ri chicken lines against HPAI H5N1 virus infection in the lungs.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• 제35권3호
• /
• pp.367-376
• /
• 2022

Objective: The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) is a threat to the poultry industry as well as the economy and remains a potential source of pandemic infection in humans. Antiviral genes are considered a potential factor for HPAIV resistance. Therefore, in this study, we investigated gene expression related to cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions by comparing resistant and susceptible Ri chicken lines for avian influenza virus infection. Methods: Ri chickens of resistant (Mx/A; BF2/B21) and susceptible (Mx/G; BF2/B13) lines were selected by genotyping the Mx dynamin like GTPase (Mx) and major histocompatibility complex class I antigen BF2 genes. These chickens were then infected with influenza A virus subtype H5N1, and their lung tissues were collected for RNA sequencing. Results: In total, 972 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were observed between resistant and susceptible Ri chickens, according to the gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways. In particular, DEGs associated with cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions were most abundant. The expression levels of cytokines (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-6, IL-8, and IL-18), chemokines (C-C Motif chemokine ligand 4 [CCL4] and CCL17), interferons (IFN-γ), and IFN-stimulated genes (Mx1, CCL19, 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthase-like, and protein kinase R) were higher in H5N1-resistant chickens than in H5N1-susceptible chickens. Conclusion: Resistant chickens show stronger immune responses and antiviral activity (cytokines, chemokines, and IFN-stimulated genes) than those of susceptible chickens against HPAIV infection.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• 제23권3호
• /
• pp.36.1-36.14
• /
• 2022

Background: Since 2003, the H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype has caused massive economic losses in the poultry industry in South Korea. The role of inland water bodies in avian influenza (AI) outbreaks has not been investigated. Identifying water bodies that facilitate risk pathways leading to the incursion of the HPAI virus (HPAIV) into poultry farms is essential for implementing specific precautionary measures to prevent viral transmission. Objectives: This matched case-control study (1:4) examined whether inland waters were associated with a higher risk of AI outbreaks in the neighboring poultry farms. Methods: Rivers, irrigation canals, lakes, and ponds were considered inland water bodies. The cases and controls were chosen based on the matching criteria. The nearest possible farms located within a radius of 3 km of the case farms were chosen as the control farms. The poultry farms were selected randomly, and two HPAI epidemics (H5N8 [2014-2016] and H5N6 [2016-2017]) were studied. Conditional logistic regression analysis was applied. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that inland waters near poultry farms were significant risk factors for AI outbreaks. The study speculated that freely wandering wild waterfowl and small animals contaminate areas surrounding poultry farms. Conclusions: Pet birds and animals raised alongside poultry birds on farm premises may wander easily to nearby waters, potentially increasing the risk of AI infection in poultry farms. Mechanical transmission of the AI virus occurs when poultry farm workers or visitors come into contact with infected water bodies or their surroundings. To prevent AI outbreaks in the future, poultry farms should adopt strict precautions to avoid contact with nearby water bodies and their surroundings.